Last year in Hawaii, more than 500 Hawaii residents gave back to their communities as volunteers who provided free tax services by preparing more than 16,500 federal and state individual income tax returns through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Last year in Hawaii, more than 500 Hawaii residents gave back to their communities as volunteers who provided free tax services by preparing more than 16,500 federal and state individual income tax returns through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).
“The IRS and its partners are looking for volunteers that are interested in taking a little time to learn about taxes and then helping others by preparing federal income tax returns for free,” said IRS spokesman David Tucker II.
Anyone can be a volunteer, and bilingual volunteers are particularly needed. Volunteers can help in three separate capacities:
• Return preparer.
• Site coordinator (site supervisor or site manager.
• Greeter.
Site coordinators (supervisors) may also prepare returns. Greeters also will generally answer simple questions and distribute forms. Volunteers will be provided with free training materials on how to prepare basic individual income tax returns and, in most cases, how to file them electronically. Instruction will cover federal and Hawaii state tax returns.
Training is usually scheduled between November and January and volunteers generally study online with Link &Learn Taxes to obtain their volunteer certification. Classroom training also could be available.
Once certified, volunteers spend as little as three to four hours per week volunteering between the months of February and April. Last year, millions of people received assistance through VITA/TCE programs.
To volunteer, send an email to taxvolunteer@irs.gov or contact any of the following organizations: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide (sign up to volunteer at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer); HACBED (Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; contact Susan at 808-381-0881, www.hawaiitaxhelp.org); Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (contact Elise von Dohlen at 808-527-8076 or elvondo@lashaw.org, www.legalaidhawaii.org); and Goodwill Industries of Hawaii (contact Lori Lau via email at LLau@higoodwill.org).
More information about the IRS volunteer tax preparation programs is available at www.IRS.gov.
